Superior approves ordinance allowing retail marijuana sales

Town will allow two establishments

Retail marijuana sales will now be allowed in Superior.

The Superior Board of Trustees voted unanimously to pass an ordinance allowing dispensaries in town Monday night.

Under the new ordinance, marijuana sales will be allowed with many provisions and regulations. The town will only allow for two such establishments in town, and limit those to only commercial zones and require a 500foot buffer from any school.

A ventilation plan must be submitted with the application to ensure any odor can not be detected.

Town Manager Matt Magley said the town can not collect sales tax revenue from medical marijuana centers, and the sale of medical marijuana will remain prohibited.

“If we pass this tonight, no one can open a marijuana store tomorrow. There is a process to this,” Mayor Pro Tem Neal Shah said.

Shah said the board will act as the local licensing authority for any marijuana retail licenses in town after the town clerk reviews any application. He said the board will take thorough public comment when discussing potential approval of a dispensary.

Shah said different businesses require different regulations, and while Superior may never have a retail marijuana store, the town should not discriminate against different kinds of establishments.

Shah and Mayor Mark Lacis both said that with a decade-long history of marijuana sales in the state, they feel strongly that the ordinance will not have a negative effect on the town.

“We’ve seen 10 years of this industry in Colorado and the state isn’t worse off because of it. Superior needs to get with the program,” Lacis said.

Town Attorney Ruthie Goff also noted any retail marijuana stores also need a state license to sell marijuana. She said any application needs to have a ventilation, security and storage plan.

Magley noted the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office does not anticipate an increase in crime if retail marijuana sales are allowed in town, and the Superior Chamber of Commerce is supportive of allowing marijuana sales in town.

Superior’s sales tax would apply to all retail marijuana sales and generate an estimated $30,000 from each store every year. Magley also noted downtown Superior does not allow for marijuana retail, but the project developers can request an amendment.

With the passing of the ordinance, Erie is the only Boulder County jurisdiction with a prohibition on cannabis sales.